Velvet ants, despite their name, are actually wingless wasps with fluffy exteriors, captivating scientists with their distinct coloration and remarkable ability to absorb visible light.
Dr. Lopez's team discovered that the black markings on female velvet ants are ultrablack, the first of its kind found in the Hymenoptera group of insects.
This species, Traumatomutilla bifurca, displays a level of blackness previously unseen in dragonflies, bees, and beetles, causing intrigue within the scientific community.
Ultrablack surfaces, defined by their microstructures, can absorb nearly all light, creating a striking visual effect in nature that has yet to be fully understood.
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